Minutes of the LRTC Meeting 13th February 2021 at Young
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 13th February 2021 at Young at 10.35 am
Chairman: Vicki Etheridge thanked the hosts for having us here today.
ATTENDANCE: As per attendance sheet Total 19
APOLOGIES: Craig Bembrick, Steve Cook, Ian Gray, Noelene Milliken, Lawrence Ryan, Judith Hannah, Pascalle Stendell, Dom Figliomeni, Eddie Wilkinson, Steph Cooke MP Total 10
MOVED: John Horton That the apologies be accepted. SECONDED: Ray Morris CARRIED
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING WERE DISTRIBUTED
MOVED: John Hetherington SECONDED: Ray Morris CARRIED
A discussion on the taking of minutes was held and the content which was to go in to the recording of the minutes.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
PHILIP LAIRD: Moved: 1. That we follow up the two items of outstanding correspondence -the grade separation of the Mount Ousley Road and the early release of the McNaughton report. Seconded: Maurice Simpson Carried
PHILIP BLAIRD: Moved: 2. That this meeting of the LRTC calls for work to start on the reopening of the Blayney to Demondrille line with the Koorawatha to Grenfell line to mainline standards capable of 25 tonne axle loads. Seconded: Joe Kinseller CARRIED
GORDON BRADBERRY: MOVED: 3. LRTC draws the attention of Transport for NSW to the need for better coordination of regional transport plans across regions in NSW, keeping the issue of grain and mineral transport by rail to export ports as a high priority.
SECONDED: Bill West CARRIED
GARRY BRATHWAITE: Discussed the movement of precious metals and gold from the Alkane Mines and all transport options previously discussed are back on the table. A plan of the quarry to the vacant siding was handed out for discussion later.
JOHN HETHERINGTON: Has a reply been received to the correspondence sent to Michael McCormack in February last year.
MOVED: 4. John Hetherington that the letter is followed up and a copy of the same letter be sent and noted with concern. SECONDED: Phillip Laird CARRIED
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Nil
CORRESPONDENCE IN: Listed on Agenda. 2.
CORRESPONDENCE OUT: Listed on Agenda
MOVED: Bill West SECONDED: John Hetherington CARRIED
TREASURER’S REPORT
Presented by Dennis Hughes
Opening Balance as at 1/10/2020 $19,352.65
Income $ 35.68
Expenses $ 927.25
Balance as at 31/01/2021 $18,461.08
MOVED Dennis Hughes that the Treasurer’s report be accepted.
SECONDED: Philip Laird CARRIED
CONFIRMATION OF ACCOUNTS OR PAYABLE:
Dennis advised that the account has been set up for use of an eftpos card.
REPORTS COUNCILS, ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
MAURICE SIMPSON: Would like to invite the Dept Prime Minister to voice his concerns at the lack of interest of politicians in funding of the Maldon - Dombarton Line and praised the major servicing depot being built in Dubbo.
MOVED: 5. PHILIP LAIRD that we ask, as a group, Minister Constance, Transport New South Wales and Paul Toole from the seat of Bathurst, that with the construction of the rail maintenance facility at Dubbo that master planning proceed to draw up a track straightening upgrade between Lithgow and Dubbo, with a view to reduce travel time. SECONDED: Karina McLachlain. CARRIED
Discussion Lead by Philip Laird on the reduction in passenger train transit times between Sydney and the Central West.
DALE WIENCKE TEMORA SHIRE COUNCIL: Reported that the line between Griffith and Junee has been upgraded to a 25 tonne axle rating and the line from Ungarie to Temora has been finished to a 25 tonne rating. Work hasn’t started on the Illabo – Stockinbingal line as yet.
We have also been busy with the airport, redoing the runway and dealing with drainage.
RAY MORRIS, LACHLAN VALLEY RAILWAY: There is a lot of effort put in by a number of people to process an outcome of success. Their idea of running a train from Cowra to Holmwood has also opened up a small section of the Blayney to Harden Line.
MICHAEL PAAG, BLACK HEATH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE: The process of the upgrade of the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Lithgow is well underway. The final 2 corridors
3.
for Blackheath have been chosen. The road will be upgraded to dual carriageway and will be open to larger B Doubles and A Rigids. Concerns is still remaining around Meadlow Bath because of the 3 sets of traffic lights and the 60kph outside the Hydro Majestic Hotel.We are advocating for an hourly train service to Lithgow. We are also supporting you publicly to have the Blayney to Demondrille and the Maldon to Dombarton lines reopened as well as Maryvale to Gulgong, Ulane to Lithgow. I believe our Council should be a part of this conversation as the issues you are working on will benefit us.
BILL WEST, COWRA SHIRE MAYOR: Lachlan Valley Railway is important and the potential for that organisation is enormous. Central West NSW and Orana have real issues in getting access to Sydney Metropolitan areas. A lack of long term strategic plans has been highlighted.
GORDON BRADBERRY, MAYOR OF WOLLONGONG: We are driven in this country by commercial interest. People like Twiggy Forrest drive where the money goes, Governments follow. The issue of public transport and transport generally is going to be something that we will all be drawn in on and it will be a significant political issue. The issue of carbon abatement will be a big issue for our transport strategies and rail will also be a significant feature of our future transport.
JOHN HORTON, HILLTOPS COUNCIL: I would like to speak of the upgraded Cunningar grain terminal and the importance of completing the Maldon to Dombarton Railway line to Port Kembla and the Blayney to Demondrille Line. The Cunningar upgrade has eliminated some 4000 truck journeys on the Hume Highway. We need to invite the Minister or Deputy Prime Minister whoever is the right person for our journey forward to our meetings.
GARRY BRATHWAITE: Discussed the movement of precious metals and gold from the Alkane Mines and all transport options previously discussed are back on the table. A plan of the quarry to the vacant siding was handed out for discussion later.
MOVED: 6. Garry Braithwaite. That a submission be sent to Paul Toole and also the Shadow Minister for Regional Transport David Harris, to investigate the opening of the Dubbo to Yeoval Rail line for the transport of Rare Earth Minerals from Combo to Toongi as this project is an 80 year operation.
SECONDED: Greg Standen. CARRIED
Karina McLachlan: Would like to present a copy of a petition to the next meeting, which will be presented to Federal Parliament and Federal Opposition regarding the By Pass in Dubbo, 20,000 signatures will be needed before it can be presented to parliament.
MOVED: 7. BILL WEST: That we send a copy of the correspondence regarding the passenger rail services to a group in Orange who is very active in getting better rail services for passengers, it includes Dubbo, Bathurst, and Molong. They are a very active group. I will get their contact details. SECONDED: John Faulks CARRIED
DENNIS HUGHES: I would like to ask the Mayor of Hilltops about the submission put in about the bike trail. Is it going ahead?
4.
BRIAN INGRAM: At the time with the Rail Trail in strategic planning statement was a one liner. There is no need for any further discussion or concern in regard to that matter.
DENNIS HUGHES: Seeing as we didn’t have an AGM in November 2020, is it the rule of the Committee that we go back to November for the next AGM or will we have it in February.
MOVED: 8. JOHN HORTON that we have the AGM in the first week in November each year. SECONDED: Joe Kinsela CARRIED
DENNIS HUGHES: Please use my personal email address which is now on the website.
Next meeting to be held on 1 May 2021 at Wollongong Council.
Meeting closed at 12.20 pm
CHAIRPERSON ………………………………………………………